Top Devon park picked for main event in tourism awards

Steps to keep customers and team members safe over the past 12 months have helped Ladram Bay Holiday Park to secure a place in the 2020 Devon Tourism Awards.

The family-owned park was announced as a finalist this month after award judges reviewed its long list of successes and achievements during the last year.

Providing guests with peace of mind during their stays, adding new facilities, safeguarding the natural environment, and local community engagement all played a part.

Now everyone at Budleigh Salterton's Ladram Bay must keep their fingers crossed until 11 March when the 2020 Devon Tourism Award winners will be announced.

The virtual awards ceremony will take place just one day before the park is due to re-open for the new season – and it reports that bookings are already well ahead of this time last year.

"Even during the present lockdown we've been receiving scores enquiries from customers for holiday breaks and from buyers of holiday homes," said Ladram Bay director Zoe House.

"The freedom and fresh air of a Devon seaside holiday is just what people need and deserve, so we're hoping that government restrictions will be eased as soon as possible in spring.

"The news that Ladram Bay has made the finals in this year's Devon Tourism Awards has come as fantastic news as we prepare to welcome guests back again.

"Our team did an amazing job last year in putting safety measures into place so that everyone could enjoy peace of mind during their stay – and we received many messages of thanks.

"This year will be no different, and we've even employed extra team members to ensure that all of our safety procedures run smoothly so guests can enjoy a first-class experience.

"We're very grateful to the Devon Tourism Awards judges for recognising our hard work, and providing this great morale boost during our busy preparations!" added Zoe.

Not that Ladram Bay is any stranger to receiving top honours from award bodies, and last year it clinched a silver trophy in the South West Tourism Excellence awards.

And in 2019, the park took the overall "park of the year" title in the Devon Tourism Awards.

Owned by the same family for over 75 years, Ladram Bay has its own private beach and a host of different attractions and dining options for guests and holiday home owners.

Family member Zoe believes the key to Ladram Bay's success is the constant re-investment made in the park, benefitting both customers and the natural environment:

"Last year, we spent over one million pounds on a series of projects from high-speed broadband to landscaping, plus £300,000 on a non-polluting solar energy system.

"Keeping quality standards high, protecting our countryside, and ensuring guests receive first-class standards of hospitality from our friendly team have always been our family's goals," said Zoe.

Ladram Bay provides a wide range of luxury holiday caravans and holiday lodges to rent or own, glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

There is more information about the park at www.ladrambay.co.uk